Pro-bloodsport peers block anti-hunting bill

A bill to ban hunting with dogs was blocked by pro-hunting peers in protest at the time allocated to its debate.

Peers had been told two days in committee was enough, and the agriculture minister, Lord Whitty, had warned that if they voted not to continue with it the bill would not complete its committee stage. The peers spurned his warning by 74 votes to 34.

The government's initial bill, licensing some hunts, had been rejected by Labour back- benchers and converted into an outright ban. Peers delayed it by tabling many amendments.

Labour whip Lady Farrington said yesterday that the government had offered the peers two extra committee days or the possibility of the bill going to a grand committee, where votes are not allowed. Both offers were rejected.

Mike Hobday, for the League Against Cruel Sports, said peers had made it easier for the government to invoke the Parliament Act and push the the bill through the Lords.